Microhousing Victoria – Bridging the gap in affordable housing

As a neighbourhood (volunteer) representative, I participate in the Victoria Community Associations Network (VCAN). VCAN meetings are held bi-monthly, at Victoria City Hall. Last night’s VCAN meeting included a short presentation about Microhousing Victoria. They are a recently formed nonprofit society, intent on providing an “intermediate” affordable housing option. The presentation was given by Board Member (and architect) […]

A Care Grid Vision – Applying Principles of the Electricity Grid to Elder Care

What to do… What to do? When it comes to the elder care time bomb, we know the cost of caring for the elderly; the graph accelerates sharply as we approach the end. The chart below is for Canada. The scenario is common around a good chunk of the ‘Western’ world.  These scenarios are unsustainable. […]

Stepping Stones: Leading and Keeping People Out Of Poverty

Last weekend, I spent some time conversing with a few folks in “Tent City”, an encampment of homeless people that has formed on a park-oriented parcel of Crown land, here in Victoria. Tent City is adjacent to the Provincial Court House; a sad irony, if one speaks of social justice. Below is a picture of […]

How to Accelerate the Development of New Collaborative Relationships

When I look around my city, Victoria, I see lots of complex issues and challenges on the agenda; municipal amalgamation, sewage disposal, transportation mix… These are big items. Many stakeholders are involved. Each issue has many components to it. If people try tackle the issue as a whole, collaboration gridlock often follows. Better to subdivide […]